The story follows a young Karate practitioner named Tsukumo Mutsu, 40th master of the deadly Mutsu Enmei Ryu style.

A prequel series, Mutsu Enmei Ryu Gaiden: Shura no Toki also ran in Monthly Shōnen Magazine, premiering in July 1989 and running until November 2005. Its chapters were published in 15 tankōbon volumes by Kodansha. It was adapted into a 26-episode anime series by Media Factory and Studio Comet that aired from April 6, 2004 until September 28, 2004 and is licensed for release in North America by Media Blasters.

A prequel series, Mutsu Enmei Ryū Gaiden: Shura no Toki(陸奥圓明流外伝 修羅の刻?), began serialization in the same magazine in July 1989 where it ran until November 2005. It was collected and published in 15 tankōbon volumes between February 13, 1990 and January 17, 2006.[4][5] Five aizōban volumes of the series were also released between March 19, 2004 and July 21, 2004.[6][7]

Three of the story arcs from the prequel series were adapted into a 26-episode anime series by Media Factory and Studio Comet. It premiered on TV Tokyo on April 6, 2004 and ran until September 28, 2004. Media Blasters licensed the series for distribution in North America.